Improvement in mode of connecting electro-magnetic apparatus with tooth-forceps



J. J. CLARK.

Electric Dental-Instrument.

No. 22,063. Patented Nov. 16, 1858.

Wa'Z'we SeS Q i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JAS. J. CLARK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN MODE OF CONNECTING ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS WITHTOOTH-FORCEPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 22,063, dated November16, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES J. CLARK, of the city of Philadelphia andState of Pennsylvania,

7 have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Combined Apparatusknown as Francis Combination of Electro-"ilagnetic Machine and DentalForceps, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing,making a part of this specification, which represents a top view of saidFrancis apparatus with my improvement attached.

It has been found in the practical use of said Francis improvement thatthe most successful results are attained so far as concerns extractingthe teeth with the least pain or inconvenience when the electric circuitis closed immediately after the forceps grasp the tooth and just beforethe dentist commences to pull the tooth. Where the patient takes theknob orpole in one hand and the other wire is connected directly to theforceps a slight current necessarily is felt in the tooth and gums whilethe forceps is being applied to the tooth. As the dentists hands areoccupied by the operation the serviceof an attendant seems indispensableto enable this result to be attained.

My improvement obviates the necessity of an attendant for this purpose;and it consists in the interposition of a foot-key in the course of oneof the wires composing the circuit, so that the dentist can leave thecircuit open or incomplete until the proper moment, and then with hisfoot close it, thus preserving the free use of his hands.

In the accompanying drawing, A represents an ordinary electromagneticmachine; B, the battery, with its proper connection to theelectromagnetic machine; C,the wire passing to the knob D, which thepatient is to grasp with his hand; E, the other wire passing to theforceps H. K isa small metallic springlever attached at one extremity,L, and moving up and down into and out of contact with a metallic seator anvil, M. IV hen the operators foot presses on K it comes down on M,and thus makes a continuous circuit through E, K, M, and N to theforceps H. Vhenever the operators foot is not pressed on K the spring ofK elevates it from M and breaks the circuit at that point.

The mode of using my arrangement is as follows: The spring K and anvil Mbeing attached to a small board, it is placed upon the floor convenientto the dentists operatingchair, and then the connections being all made,as shown in the drawings, the dentist places the knob D in the patientshand and adjusts the forceps H to the patients tooth, the dentists footbeing all this time on the floor, and the spring-lever K elevated fromthe anvil M. At the instant the dentist grasps the tooth with theforceps H and commences to pull he presses on K, and thus closes thecircuit, and causes the current to pass through the tooth during thepulling part of the operation. Thus he brings the current into actiononly at the moment when its beneficial effect is needed, dispensing withan attendant, and at the same time leaving the operators hands free tomanipulate the forceps.

The foot-key K might be placed in the circuit C instead of E, or in thecourse of the wires passing between the battery B and machine A, as abreak in any one part of either of these circuits would be equallyeffective.

Having thus described my improvement, I do not desire to claim thecombination of electromagnetic machine and forceps, as that has beeninvented by Francis; but

What I do desire to claim is- The employment of the foot-key K or itsequivalent in combination with the electromagnetic machine and forceps,arranged and operating substantially as above described.

JAMES J. CLARK.

Witnesses:

J. H. B. JENKINS, JNo. B. KENNEY.

